The BioWare Social Network offers a new automatic patch for Dragon Age 2, updating BioWare's role-playing sequel to version 1.02, offering a manual patch for Windows and saying the Mac edition of the game will update itself the next time it is launched, as will the versions purchased through Steam (thanks Dir Wulf). The release includes a note suggesting users make sure their graphics card drivers are up-to-date: "AMD and NVIDIA have recently released new graphics-card drivers. Using old drivers may cause Dragon Age II to crash, run poorly, or display graphics incorrectly." They also warn that some saved games may not work correctly: "Some plot fixes are retroactive, but not all. Players with plot-breaking bugs may need to revert to an earlier save, particularly a save prior to visiting the affected area during the current year in the game." The change list follows.

GAMEPLAY

The effects of various follower talents and item properties are now being properly removed and re-applied when loading and saving.

Anders's default set of tactics will now activate Haste when appropriate.

Aveline's final armor upgrade is now available during "Favor and Fault."

Aveline's Retaliation talent no longer imposes a delay when activated.

The warrior's Rally talent now functions as described.

The rogue's Lacerate talent now functions as described.

Party members who are resurrected during a fight now rejoin combat properly.

Hawke no longer gains random spells or talents after using the Maker's Sigh potion, then saving and reloading.

Potions, poisons, grenades, and runes can now still be ordered from the Hawke estate after the main campaign is complete.

Various minor gameplay issues no longer occur.

QUESTS (SPOILER WARNING)

"Who Needs Rescuing" can now be completed.

"Duty" will now appear on the Chanter's Board even if the player accepted all of the board's quests before installing the Exiled Prince premium content.

The journal for "Duty" will now update if the player left the Docks (Night) area immediately after killing the Flint Company mercenaries.

In "Finders Keepers," the door to Woodrow's Warehouse will now open if the player steals the location to the warehouse from the harbormaster's office.

In "Finders Keepers," if the player leaves Woodrow's Warehouse before finding the crate, it is now possible to return to the warehouse to complete the quest.

In "Herbalist's Tasks," the varterral's heart is now available even if the player killed the varterral before receiving the quest.

Merrill no longer refers to the aftermath of "A New Path" before the plot has been completed.

Varric is no longer confused about which character Hawke has been romancing.